“You know I love hanging out with my buddy, and Carly thinks it’s great practice.” Wyatt ruffled Caleb’s hair.

“Please,” she said with a grunt as she set Caleb down. “You’re a natural. You were comfortable with this kid before I was.” Jax shook a giggling Caleb’s shoulders. “Now go home to your pregnant wife. Please. I’m starting to feel guilty.”

“Keep me updated if you know what happens again,” Wyatt said with wide eyes and raised brows. Jax had sent him a text with strict instructions to not talk about it in front of Caleb.

She nodded. “Of course.”

Caleb tugged at Jax’s sweatshirt. “Dinosaur.” He said it like dine-sore.

Wyatt’s smile was large. “Because that’s pretty big news.”

“Dinosaur.”

“It is. We’re happy to finally see some improvements.”

Caleb tugged her hand. “Dinosaur!”

“What are you screaming about, Cricket? You want to play dinosaurs?”

“No! I forgot my T. rex in Uncle Wy’s car.” Caleb’s voice wavered and bordered on a screech, the exact pitch that preceded a full-blown meltdown. “Need my T. rex!” He stomped his foot.

“Let’s go get him.” Wyatt reached for Caleb’s hand, but Jax stopped him.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ll take him. He’s about to blow at any second.”

“Stay here,” Wyatt said firmly. “This is good practice, remember?” He smirked and took Caleb’s hand.

Jax heard Caleb’s footsteps slamming down the hallway. “God bless that man.” Jax reclaimed her seat and started a game of Yahtzee on her phone. Amanda was halfway through a paperback. “You can go home if you want.”

Amanda didn’t look up from her book. “Nah. It’s less lonely here. Don’t tell anyone I said that.”

Jax chuckled and played a full house. “Your secret is safe with me.”

“Ja—”

“What?” Amanda and Jax said at the same time.

“Oh, I thought you were saying my name. I’m hearing things now. Great.”

“I heard it, too.”

Jax sat straight up. “Gretchen?”

“Ha…”

Jax rushed to Gretchen’s bedside, elated to see her opening her eyes. She was struggling, but she was opening them. “Hey.”

Gretchen fixed her unfocused gaze on Jax and smiled weakly. She lifted her hand, shakily reaching toward Jax.

Jax took Gretchen’s hand. It felt thinner than before. “Do you remember talking to the doctor earlier?” Jax hoped she did, because she didn’t want to be the one to break the news to her. Again.

Gretchen clamped her eyes shut and shook her head gently. Pain was obvious on her face.

Amanda stepped up and touched Gretchen’s shoulder. “You had a bit of a fall at work. You’re in the hospital, but you’re getting better every day. Your doctor is wonderful and gets as annoyed by Jax as I do.”

Jax’s appreciation for Amanda grew in that moment. Gretchen remained calm and Jax was sure it had more to do with familiar faces than the drugs she was on. Gretchen winked at her, and Jax finally felt a hint of happiness.

Gretchen pulled her hand away and touched Jax’s forearm. “I…” Gretchen started coughing, clenching her body in pain.